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Tarirotari Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Anyone vs someone

Hi,

I have often seen people using sentences like:

They can feel lonely if they don't have anyone to talk to.
They can feel lonely if they don't have someone to talk to.

Maybe I am wrong, but they both sound OK to me. And if this is the case, the question is, is there a difference at all? To my ear maybe anyone sounds more generic whereas someone seems to have a more restrictive sense: someone in their family/ circle of friends, etc.

Please, I would like to have the view of a native speaker.

Thanks.
  

Top answer

tarirotari To my ear maybe anyone sounds more generic whereas someone seems to have a more restrictive sense: someone in their family/ circle of friends, etc. You have the right idea. 'Anyone' is an open, objective set that may or may not exist, while 'someone' suggests that the speaker probably thinks there may be.

— Mister Micawber

  • tarirotari To my ear maybe anyone sounds more generic whereas someone seems to have a more restrictive sense: someone in their family/ circle of friends, etc.
  • You have the right idea.
  • 'Anyone' is an open, objective set that may or may not exist, while 'someone' suggests that the speaker probably thinks there may be.
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2 Answers
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tarirotariTo my ear maybe anyone sounds more generic whereas someone seems to have a more restrictive sense: someone in their family/ circle of friends, etc.
You have the right idea. 'Anyone' is an open, objective set that may or may not exist, while 'someone' suggests that the speaker probably thinks there may be.
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